SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
Japan Railways
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
- Casey Baseel
Sep 2, 2026 - Tweet
A great way to explores off-the-beaten-path Japan this autumn.
- Japan
- (COK • Japan Railways • Japan travel • JR • Rail Pass • tourism • train pass • trains • travel • travel deals)
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
- Oona McGee
Aug 20, 2026
Beautiful timepiece combines two things Japan is famous for: anime and precision timekeeping.
- Japan
- (anime • bullet train • bullet trains • cool • fashion • Japan Railways • JR • JR West • manga • One Piece • Sanyo Shinkansen • Seiko • Seiko watch • shinkansen • tourism • travel • watch • watches)
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
- Casey Baseel
Aug 19, 2026
Wondering if this extra luxury on your Japan trip is worth the extra ticket cost? Here’s a free way to find out.
- Japan
- (bullet train • Japan Railways • Japan travel • JR • shinkansen • Shinkansen private cabin • Supreme Class • tourism • trains • travel)
Shinkansen trial of moderately air conditioned cars draws mixed reactions from travellers
- Oona McGee
Jul 16, 2026
Some passengers are grateful for the warmer carriages, while others say they’re the last thing Japan needs during an excruciatingly hot summer.
- Japan
- (Air conditioning • bullet train • heatstroke • Japan Railways • Japanese trains • JR Central • JR West • moderately air conditioned car • railways • Sanyo • Sanyo Shinkansen • shinkansen • Tokaido • Tokaido Line • Tokaido Shinkansen • trains • travel • weak air conditioning)
Japan Railways partners with Overwatch, heroes hit the Shinkansen for bullet train collaboration
- Casey Baseel
Jun 7, 2026
And yes, there is a reason Mercy is dressed that way.
- Japan
- (bullet train • Central Japan Railway Company • Japan Railways • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • JR Tokai • Osaka • shinkansen • tourism • travel • video games)
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
- Elliot Hale
May 29, 2026
One of Japan’s most popular dessert mascots is set to go with you as you tap through ticket gates.
- Japan
- (Aichi • buses • COK • cute • IC cards • Japan Railways • Japan travel • JR • JR Central • Nagoya • Piyorin • Toica • tourism • trains • transportation • travel)
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
- Oona McGee
Dec 1, 2025
Complete with departure bell alarms, this is a unique way to wake up for your train in the morning.
- Japan
- (alarm clock • alarm clocks • clock • clocks • cool • Japan Railways • Japanese train stations • Japanese trains • JR • JR East • mook • stations • Takarajimasha • Tokyo • train station clock • trains • travel)
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
- Casey Baseel
Nov 11, 2025
Things are going to look a little different in JR Ikebukuro Station.
- Japan
- (Bic Camera • Ikebukuro • Ikebukuro Station • Japan Railways • JR • stations • Tokyo • tourism • trains • travel)
Hokkaido Shinkansen apologizes for driver “spacing out” while operating bullet train
- Casey Baseel
Oct 10, 2025
Space-out occurred in tunnel connecting Honshu and Hokkaido.
- Japan
- (bullet train • crazy • Hokkaido Shinkansen • Japan Railways • shinkansen • trains • travel)
One Piece Shinkansen bullet trains set to speed to adventure in Japan
- Casey Baseel
Nov 29, 2024
Three different One Piece bullet train designs will run on the Sanyo Shinkansen line.
- Japan
- (anime • bullet train • Japan Railways • JR • JR West • manga • One Piece • Sanyo Shinkansen • shinkansen • tourism • travel)
Cool capsule toys recreate how Japan navigated trains in pre-smartphone days【Photos】
- Casey Baseel
May 13, 2024
Tiny timetable books are packed with info about how to get from point A to point B by rail.
JR, Tokyo Metro, other rails lines adding discounts for mentally handicapped riders, caregivers
- Casey Baseel
Apr 13, 2024
New policy seeks to remove additional financial burden in a country where not taking the train often isn’t an option.
- Japan
- (COK • health • Japan Railways • JR • mental health • society • subways • Tokyo Metro • trains • transportation)
Disney Shinkansen coming to Japan’s rails, starts service this month
- Casey Baseel
Dec 18, 2023
Magical Dream Shinkansen celebrates 40 years of Disney theme parks in Japan.
- Japan
- (bullet train • Disney • Disneyland • Japan Railways • JR East • shinkansen • Tohoku Shinkansen • Tokyo Disney Resort • Tokyo Disney Sea • Tokyo Disneyland • trains • travel)
Huge price hike for Japan Rail Pass triggers huge drop in foreign travelers who’ll buy it【Survey】
- Casey Baseel
May 29, 2023
But that just might be part of JR’s plan.
- Japan
- (COK • Japan Rail Pass • Japan Railways • JR • JR pass • shinkansen • trains • travel)
What’s the rule for where to put strollers on Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains?
- Casey Baseel
Apr 30, 2023
Japan’s high-speed trains don’t have designated stroller spots onboard, so where should parents put theirs?
- Japan
- (bullet train • COK • etiquette • Japan Railways • JR • JR East • kids • Parenting • parents • shinkansen • SNJO • strollers • trains • travel)
Massive price increase announced for Japan Rail Pass, cost to jump by up to 77 percent
- Casey Baseel
Apr 19, 2023
One of Japan’s greatest bullet train travel bargains just got shot full of holes.
- Japan
- (bullet train • COK • Japan Rail Pass • Japan Railways • JR • JR pass • shinkansen • trains • travel)
Yes! Ramen soup in heated cans coming to Japanese vending machines and convenience stores
- Casey Baseel
Oct 8, 2022
Sure, canned coffee is great and all, but this is what we’re really craving.
- Japan
- (awesome • convenience stores • cool • crazy • drinks • food • hot canned drinks • Ippudo • Japan Railways • JR • JR East • New Days • ramen • tonkotsu • vending machines)
Train driver’s locked tablet with forgotten password leads to big delay on Fukushima line
- Master Blaster
Aug 25, 2022
Growing pains of digitizing trains in Japan.
- Japan
- (COK • Japan Railways • JR East • passwords • schedules • tablets • technology • timetables • train delay • trains)
Japan Railways offering ‘Shinkansen for Pets’, includes dog-friendly vacation packages
- Katie Pask
May 3, 2022
The ‘Woof-cation‘ package includes a photographer, veterinarian and dog trainer.
- Japan
- (animals • awesome • dog • dogs • Japan Railways • JR East • pet • pets • shinkansen • train • travel)
VR metaverse of Akihabara Station being made by JR East, netizens scoff at early quality
- Katie Pask
Mar 12, 2022
“This looks like something from a PlayStation 2 game,” one netizen commented.
- Japan
- (Akihabara • Akihabara Station • cool • Hikki • Japan Railways • JR • metaverse • technology • Tokyo • trains • Virtual Market • virtual reality • VR)
-
Recent Posts
- Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
- Roaming rubbish bin robot at Shinjuku Station solves the problem of where to put your trash
- Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki not impressed by generative AI images, Hayao Miyazaki thinks even less of them
- Eel sauce is our new favorite cooking hack for making any dish sweet and savory with zero hassle
- New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
New Shinkansen platform vending machine sells local-flavor treats from 127-year-old snack maker
Roaming rubbish bin robot at Shinjuku Station solves the problem of where to put your trash
Two American women attempt to smuggle US$1 million worth of cannabis into Tokyo for a free trip to Japan
Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki not impressed by generative AI images, Hayao Miyazaki thinks even less of them
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Eel sauce is our new favorite cooking hack for making any dish sweet and savory with zero hassle
Japanese restaurant chain offering free food for a year if you beat massive meat bowl challenge
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
Weekly
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute- Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
- Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan- How to watch Studio Ghibli’s new anime in Japan, with a special after-dark outdoor screening for Halloween
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Monthly
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors- Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Japan’s Suica Penguin character is “graduating”, and you can choose its successor
Eel sauce is our new favorite cooking hack for making any dish sweet and savory with zero hassle
Japanese restaurant chain offering free food for a year if you beat massive meat bowl challenge
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
Megadeth guitarist becomes voice of reason regarding tourists dancing at shrine in Japan
Join Naked in the Niwa garden: Kyoto Station’s newest spot to craft traditional art
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake can be played with an actual ocarina [Video]
We tried Japan’s Wobbly Beer Glass that forces you to drink water, and it humbled us
Tokyo’s Rikugien Garden announces nighttime foliage illumination event ahead of autumn
Legendary Pokémon statues installed in downtown Tokyo, will be there through the fall
Converse Japan releases green tea cup sneakers so you can wear your love for sushi on your feet
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Japan’s 20-year Ig Nobel winning streak continues thanks to people blowing their noses
-
-
Categories
Categories Select Category Africa (33) Anime & Manga (193) Art (64) Australia (42) C America (9) C Asia (17) Canada (59) Cats (72) China (845) Culture (180) Cute (187) Entertainment (248) Europe (344) FN24 (1) Food & Drink (314) Games & Tech (167) Global (1,071) India (11) Internet (2,197) Italy (13) Japan (34,292) Korea (375) Lifestyle (76) Mexico (6) Music (12) N Asia (4) New Zealand (11) News (61) North Korea (72) Oceania (10) Russia (56) S America (33) S Asia (66) SE Asia (378) Space (2) Taiwan (203) UK (16) Uncategorized (19) USA (971) W Asia (25)
-
Archives
Archives Select Month September 2026 (59) August 2026 (174) July 2026 (197) June 2026 (174) May 2026 (138) April 2026 (142) March 2026 (150) February 2026 (124) January 2026 (138) December 2025 (136) November 2025 (136) October 2025 (151) September 2025 (154) August 2025 (143) July 2025 (158) June 2025 (165) May 2025 (162) April 2025 (181) March 2025 (157) February 2025 (127) January 2025 (139) December 2024 (148) November 2024 (149) October 2024 (153) September 2024 (154) August 2024 (158) July 2024 (156) June 2024 (150) May 2024 (166) April 2024 (150) March 2024 (157) February 2024 (169) January 2024 (159) December 2023 (165) November 2023 (166) October 2023 (166) September 2023 (173) August 2023 (183) July 2023 (171) June 2023 (180) May 2023 (158) April 2023 (152) March 2023 (167) February 2023 (160) January 2023 (171) December 2022 (175) November 2022 (176) October 2022 (179) September 2022 (191) August 2022 (202) July 2022 (193) June 2022 (178) May 2022 (178) April 2022 (181) March 2022 (212) February 2022 (199) January 2022 (224) December 2021 (230) November 2021 (214) October 2021 (215) September 2021 (238) August 2021 (225) July 2021 (207) June 2021 (218) May 2021 (209) April 2021 (206) March 2021 (225) February 2021 (209) January 2021 (224) December 2020 (225) November 2020 (224) October 2020 (231) September 2020 (238) August 2020 (227) July 2020 (220) June 2020 (209) May 2020 (215) April 2020 (238) March 2020 (235) February 2020 (222) January 2020 (233) December 2019 (187) November 2019 (214) October 2019 (237) September 2019 (195) August 2019 (205) July 2019 (183) June 2019 (201) May 2019 (231) April 2019 (192) March 2019 (242) February 2019 (211) January 2019 (238) December 2018 (212) November 2018 (217) October 2018 (214) September 2018 (203) August 2018 (217) July 2018 (218) June 2018 (208) May 2018 (204) April 2018 (193) March 2018 (216) February 2018 (192) January 2018 (223) December 2017 (204) November 2017 (209) October 2017 (218) September 2017 (209) August 2017 (228) July 2017 (222) June 2017 (245) May 2017 (229) April 2017 (197) March 2017 (165) February 2017 (151) January 2017 (180) December 2016 (260) November 2016 (267) October 2016 (302) September 2016 (387) August 2016 (351) July 2016 (379) June 2016 (379) May 2016 (312) April 2016 (347) March 2016 (414) February 2016 (379) January 2016 (359) December 2015 (359) November 2015 (378) October 2015 (435) September 2015 (419) August 2015 (152) July 2015 (218) June 2015 (179) May 2015 (237) April 2015 (223) March 2015 (119) February 2015 (121) January 2015 (395) December 2014 (376) November 2014 (376) October 2014 (414) September 2014 (349) August 2014 (379) July 2014 (316) June 2014 (375) May 2014 (384) April 2014 (354) March 2014 (318) February 2014 (284) January 2014 (270) December 2013 (224) November 2013 (242) October 2013 (244) September 2013 (226) August 2013 (241) July 2013 (214) June 2013 (222) May 2013 (191) April 2013 (173) March 2013 (149) February 2013 (85) January 2013 (106) December 2012 (111) November 2012 (149) October 2012 (151) September 2012 (118) August 2012 (99) July 2012 (56) June 2012 (57) May 2012 (54) April 2012 (62) March 2012 (40) February 2012 (27) January 2012 (24) December 2011 (18) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (1) September 2011 (9) August 2011 (11) March 2011 (1)
-
- About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us
© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION
- Advertise |
- About Us |
- Work with us |
- Contact |
- Contribution |
